Friday, August 26, 2011

** Montreal paramedics plan blood donation drive in honour
of deceased colleague

** Oregon paramedic sentenced to additional prison time
for on-the-job sexual assaults of female patients

CANADA NEWS

** Montreal paramedics in Quebec are paying tribute to the memory of a colleague
killed August 16th in a motorcycle accident. The Montreal Gazette (Joelle
Pouliot/August 25) said Urgences Santé (US) practitioners are holding a blood
drive to honour the life of Nicholas Patenaude, 39. Patenaude died around 4:25
p.m. after colliding with a fire truck. Colleagues told the newspaper Patenaude
was a regular blood donor with twice weekly platelet offerings and blood
donations every 56 days. US responders already participated in the drive
Wednesday, though a second event is set for August 31. Public participation
begins August 30.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A former Portand, Oregon paramedic, already serving time since 2008 on
attempted sexual assault related charges, will be in jail three years longer
after being convicted of inappropriately touching three additional woman. That
is the word from The Oregonian (Helen Jung/August 24) which said Lannie L.
Haszard, 65, was sentenced after a plea agreement saw him claim no contest to
charges of attempted first-degree sexual abuse. According to the newspaper,
investigators believe Haszard may have victimized as many as 19 female patients
while they were under his care in the ambulance. His initial conviction,
however, involved abuse of only 4 women. Once released, he will remain on
supervision and must register as a sex offender.